When you are suffering from an illness or injury which limits your ability to work, the process of making a claim can often seem stressful, complicated, and overwhelming.
Our TPD and IP claims team will work on your behalf to liaise with your superannuation fund and their insurer,
to ease the burden of making a claim, and help you secure the insured amount you are entitled to.
Let us investigate whether you are eligible to claim, on a no-win, no-fee basis.
Helping you receive your full entitlement
If your ability to work has been impacted due to illness or injury, your income can be adversely affected. This can add further stress at an already difficult time.
Many employees don’t realise that they have access to additional insurance cover through their superannuation or even private policies, and therefore may be eligible for payment of a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) benefit and/or Income Protection (IP).
It is important to note that a TPD and/or IP claim is not dependent on whether you’ve had an accident or made a compensation claim such as WorkCover (WC) or Transport Accident (TAC).
Claiming through a TPD benefit
It depends on the wording of each policy but usually, if you are assessed as being permanently unfit to do your usual job or any other work within your training, education and experience, a TPD benefit can become payable. Even if you have been able to get back to doing some work.
We can help by finding out what cover you have, reviewing the policy documents, getting the claim documents completed and making submissions to your fund and their insurer about how you meet the criteria.
A TPD payment is usually paid as a lump sum but you have the option of rolling it over into your superannuation fund. Depending on how the money is paid to you, you may be required to pay tax. It is worthwhile to consider receiving financial advice about the best way to have the money paid to you to ensure you are maximising the amount available to you and for your future.
You may also be able to make more than one claim if you are covered for TPD through more than one superannuation fund.
Claiming through income protection
It depends on the wording of each policy but you may have an entitlement to IP payment for a proportion of your income (depending on the amount insured and wording of the contract) for either a temporary or permanent incapacity. There may be a waiting period.
We can help by finding out what cover you have, reviewing the policy documents, getting the claim documents completed and making submissions to your fund and their insurer about how you meet the criteria.
IP payments are usually made on a monthly basis. Once a claim is accepted you will need to provide regular certification of your ongoing incapacity from your treating doctor to the superannuation fund or their insurer.
Why use a lawyer?
There are a number of factors to consider before lodging a claim, such as the impact a TPD lump-sum payment could have on your existing compensation entitlements if you have a WorkCover or TAC claim or which criteria in the policy you may meet based on your circumstances.
Our TPD and IP claims team are experienced in guiding clients through these considerations to enable informed decisions, and will advocate on your behalf should a claim be unsuccessful in the first instance.
Let us investigate whether you are eligible to claim, on a no-win, no-fee basis.
Act promptly
Each policy is different so getting legal advice promptly is important. Robinson Gill can work directly with your superannuation fund/insurer to advocate on your behalf and manage an appeal if required.
No win, no fee
Our TPD and IP claims team offer 'no win, no fee' in most income protection and total and permanent disability matters. We offer all clients no-cost and obligation-free cover investigations, and an initial appointment to discuss how we can assist you further.
Speak with a lawyer.
Jacinta Richards.
Principal Lawyer.
- Injury Law, Superannuation, TPD & IP
- 03 9890 3321
- Email Address: j.richards@robinsongill.com.au
You may also need to consider:
View OptionsUpdating your will
Upon receiving benefits from your superannuation or insurance fund, it is an opportune moment to have a lawyer draft you a will (or review your existing one).
We can offer our clients a complimentary review of your will. Bring it your first appointment or use our online tool and have it reviewed by a lawyer.
Review my willResources & FAQs
Answers to common questions in
relation to the expertise.
Video: Total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance cover eligibility explained
In this short video, Jacinta Richards explains TPD insurance cover and where it may be applicable to your injury situation.
WorkCover: You cannot be serious!
John McEnroe’s famous edict can strike a shiver down the spine of any plaintiff personal injury lawyer. This is because proof of ‘serious injury’ is the threshold for making a common law claim for damages under either the WorkCover or TAC schemes.